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SC Orders Pedestrian Zones on All Roads Within Two Weeks
Supreme Court mandates pedestrian zones on all roads within two weeks. The ruling builds on a June 19 verdict that the right to walk on a footpath is a fundamental right under Article 21.
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The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the central government to demarcate pedestrian walkways along every road in the country, giving authorities 14 days to issue the instructions, PTI reported.
A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe told Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj to direct all road development bodies to set aside a space for walkers, separate it from motor vehicle lanes, and keep it free of encroachment. The court said the work does not require big investment.
“Without any big investment and construction, just ensure that proper demarcation is done of walkers' space. Wherever there is a road, there should be a walkers' space. Do it with a rope and ensure it is not encroached,” the bench said.
The ruling builds on a June 19 verdict in which the top court held that the right to walk on a demarcated footpath is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, the Indian Express reported. That case arose from a motor accident where a tanker hit a 5-year-old on his way to school. The court said the right to walk on demarcated paths has priority over motorised vehicles.